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          This has been, with out a doubt, the most memorable season I have ever experienced here at Penn State. There were highs and there were lows but I couldn’t have asked for a better team. I started this season differently than the others, with more confidence and a better base. I set higher goals and worked as hard as I could to make sure I accomplished them. We set team goals, and although we fell short on some, we accomplished more than I think a lot of people thought we could. Finishing 16^th individually and 13^th as a team at the National Championships was the perfect ending to a great cross country career at Penn State. Top 15 was something that I knew we were capable of and I am so happy and so proud that I was able to be a part of this team.

         It took me all Thanksgiving break to realize what had really happened at NCAA’s. I raced, knowing that I was in contention to finish in the top 25 the whole way but I didn’t think I would be able to hold the position until the end. As I rounded the bend to the home stretch, I saw my teammate Bekka Simko, shouting as loud as she could and I was somehow able to push myself past three, four, maybe five girls. Bekka has been my roommate a few times this season and I’m convinced she’s my lucky charm. I crossed the finish line and even though I was exhausted, I looked for my teammates. I saw Kara and then Natalie, Brooklyne, Emily, Abbie and Lindsey cross the finish line. It was overwhelming watching all the girls stagger across the finish line and work their way through the crowd. We gathered up and headed back to the tent, feeling good even though we didn’t know the end result yet. We just knew it was going to be good.

            Parents were walking with us, congratulating us and hugging us. It was so great to have everyone be so proud. They knew how hard we had worked and it is so nice to have people there that are so encouraging and love everyone so much. I ran thinking of my dad, who at the last minute wasn’t able to come watch. I thought about how proud he would have been if he had gotten to watch in person instead of online. After each kilometer mark that I passed I thought, ‘dad would be here, yelling at me, and in a good way today!’ As we walked back to the tent I thought about how much I wished my family could have been there, but how excited I was to get home and tell them all about it.

            Throughout this season, blogging for womentalksports.com has been so fun for me. I love running and competing and I love being able to write about it. For those of you that have been reading and following us during the season, thank you! Although you might not be at our meets or cheering us on in person, having supporters all over is special and we appreciate it so much. To all of our track and field teammates who helped out at our home meets and cheered us on, thank you for being amazing people and the best teammates anyone could ask for. I would hate to be from another team with you guys cheering for us scattered throughout our home course. One word, intimidating! Thank you to our parents, coaches and friends for always being supportive and encouraging. And one last thank you, thank you to the girls and guys on the cross-country team. I’m thankful to have another two seasons with all of you before I have to say goodbye. You are amazing people and let’s make these next two seasons even better than this one. WE ARE!

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• 2011 NCAA Cross-Country

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